Cowboys QB Andy Dalton Has Suffered An Unexpected Setback
The Dallas Cowboys have continued to limp through the 2020 season with injuries significantly impacting their roster. Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton is among those sidelined due to injury after suffering a concussion in Week 7. Things have quickly taken a more concerning turn for Dalton‘s health.
Andy Dalton suffers a concussion against Washington
The Dallas Cowboys‘ 2020 season has quickly headed south through the first half of the year.
The Cowboys have been ravaged by injuries that saw star quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending broken ankle. The situation quickly put Andy Dalton under center as the starter moving forward.
In his second start with Dallas, Dalton suffered a brutal concussion after taking a rough hit from Washington Football Team linebacker Jon Bostic in the third quarter of the Week 7 matchup. The veteran quarterback missed the rest of the game and Week 8 action against the Philadelphia Eagles. In four games played, Dalton has 452 passing yards on a 61.2% completion rate with a touchdown and three interceptions.
The injury forced rookie Ben DiNucci to the starting role, which he struggled in his first career start in the lopsided loss to the Eagles. Things have now taken yet another concerning turn for Dalton will be sidelined even longer.
Andy Dalton placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list
The last several days have been nothing short of challenging for Andy Dalton as he works his way back from a concussion.
The 33-year-old’s situation just took another disappointing turn as the Cowboys him placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.
The placement on the list doesn’t necessarily mean that he has tested positive for the virus, but more so that he could have been in contact with someone that has it. Dalton is coming off a week where he didn’t practice due to working his way through the concussion protocol.
The former Pro Bowler is now in self-quarantine as the team has begun contract tracing around him. The situation could see Dalton potentially miss the next two weeks if he has contracted the virus. There is still much to unfold with the matter, but it will keep him out of action this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Cowboys may start Cooper Rush in Week 9 against the Steelers
The Cowboys will venture into another game without Andy Dalton.
Dallas turned to Ben DiNucci last week, which saw him struggle to guide the offense forward. DiNucci completed 21 of 40 passes for 180 passing yards with no touchdown passes while being sacked four times and lost two fumbles.
The rookie put forth a forgettable performance that has the team considering other options, according to Ian Rapoport of The NFL Network. The Cowboys last week decided to bring back quarterback Cooper Rush to their practice squad, which he may not get the shot to start against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9.
The 26-year-old originally signed with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2017, which he spent his first three years on the roster. Rush made his lone two career appearances in the 2017 season as he completed 1-of-3 passes for two yards and piled up 13 rushing yards on two attempts.
The possible decision to turn to Rush shows the complete lack of confidence that the Cowboys have in DiNucci to get the job done. Rush has familiarity working with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, which should provide some level of comfort with the game plan.
There will be more clarity on this front in the coming days as the Cowboys have an intriguing decision on their hands.
